Earthdog Overview
Welcome!
This topic was created to answer a few basic questions and provide some pointers to additional resources regarding American Kennel Club Earthdog Tests. Someone who enjoys AKC Earthdog events probably directed you to info.earthdog.net as a way to share their enthusiasm for the event and help you learn a bit more about it. Much of our enjoyment of earthdog tests as human participants derives from the clear, obvious, and exuberant joy our dogs display when they are given an opportunity to do something similar to their ancestral purpose: going to ground, working quarry, partnering with a human handler. We think you and your dog might enjoy it too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Note – this page is not meant to be comprehensive or authoritative. These are just a sampling of the sorts of questions I get when I meet someone on the street and suggest they might enjoy taking their small terrier or dachshund to an earthdog test. If this information piques your interest, you will find tons more information on the web – at the AKC site, various club web sites, and in books like Jo Ann Frier-Murza’s excellent Earthdog Ins and Outs.
What is earthdog?
Straight from the AKC:
The purpose of non-competitive Earthdog tests is to offer breeders and owners of small Terriers and Dachshunds a standardized gauge to measure their dogs’ natural aptitude and trained hunting and working behaviors when exposed to an underground hunting situation. The noncompetitive program begins with a basic introduction to den work and quarry and progresses through gradual steps to require the dog to demonstrate that it is willing to perform the required tasks including seeking its quarry, locating and working it underground.
Read more at the AKC web site, Getting Started in Earthdog Tests, and About Earthdog Tests.
Can my dog participate?
Sure, if your dog is one of the AKC eligible breeds. At the moment (subject to change of course) that includes the following: Australian Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dachshund, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Silky Terrier, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier.
If you have a Cesky Terrier, Rat Terrier, or Russell Terrier, you are also eligible to participate through the AKC Foundation Stock Service.
Spayed and neutered dogs of eligible breeds are OK (as are cryptorchid and monorchid dogs). However, bitches in season and deaf and/or blind dogs are not permitted.
What if my dog is not AKC registered?
If your dog is an eligible breed, but lacks AKC “papers” you can still register your dog with AKC in a way that will let your dog participate in earthdog. Check out the AKC PAL program (formerly ILP).
How much training do I need to do before we go?
Amazingly, none. There is a special class offered that is exactly *for* those people and dogs who are new to earthdog. It is aptly named Introduction To Quarry and it is the perfect place to get a feel for what earthdog is all about, in a friendly, helpful, safe environment. Of course, you should always read the rules (PDF) before entering any event, but rest assured, Intro to Quarry is a great place to start and No Experience Necessary.
My dog is a great natural hunter and catches mice and chases squirrels all the time. We’ll pass right away, won’t we?
You might, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t. As a test, there are rules – but some natural hunters play by their own rules. It’s important to recognize that while rats are used as “quarry” in the test for practical reasons, an earthdog test is not a ratting test, and the skills being tested are not ratting skills. What is effective for a dog working alone, or ratting in the barn, is not necessarily useful to a dog working underground, out of sight of its owner, facing quarry more formidable than a rat. Some dogs take much longer than others to “read the rulebook” but most dogs seem to enjoy the game whether they earn a ribbon or not. The ribbon is for you – for the dog, the experience is its own reward!
Do I need to join a club first?
Not at all. You do not have to belong to a club to participate.
Are there any clubs near me?
If someone handed you a card with this web site address on it, chances are good there’s an earthdog club *somewhere* near you. (Within a couple hundred miles, anyway.) To find out for sure, the AKC has a very handy Club Search page. Choose “earthdog” as the club type, enter your state (or nearby state) and any earthdog clubs in your area will be listed.
How can I find out when and where the next test is?
The AKC has an Event Search page. Choose earthdog as the competition type and then choose one or more states. Also, contact any earthdog clubs in your general geographic area. Ask to be put on their mailing list, if they have one.
Good Luck!
We hope you give earthdog a try, and look forward to seeing you at a test in the near future. Good luck, and have fun!
Larry Nattrass
September 18, 2010 at 8:13 pm
We have a Glen of Imall Terrier puppy which will soon be old enough to participate in Earth Dog activities. We would like to receive information on trails and training in Northern California.
Thanks
bradl
September 19, 2010 at 10:19 am
The AKC event search above shows that there are upcoming tests in October and November in Oakdale, Dixon, and Woodland, put on variously by the Border Terrier Club of the Redwoods, the Northern California Dachshund Club, and the Golden Gate Dachshund Club, Inc.
If you can, attend the tests above. If your dog is too young yet, attend by yourself and you’ll be freer to check everything out, without having to watch after your pup all the time.
I strongly advocate working (volunteering) while at tests. Most clubs are pleased to have volunteers offer to be leash stewards, or rat stewards, or den diggers, etc. and will train you on the spot. Being involved helps the host club and offers you an up-close and personal look at how things go – overall and for each specific test; watching other people’s dogs work (or not) provides insight that may help you with your own dog when the time comes.
Michaela Starke
October 26, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I have a 9 year old AKC Champion Miniature Smooth Dachshund who is ALL ABOUT the critters. I inherited him and find that he isn’t happy with being in our laps or being fussed over. He needs a home that is interested in what he wants to be doing! I will place him with the right home, but I will require references, and I will ask lots of questions. I just want him to be happy, and I can’t give him that. Please direct me to someone who can help me. Thank You.
bradl
October 26, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Contact the breeder of the dog. If the breeder is not reputable, I’d suggest engaging Dachshund Rescue. Google Dachshund Rescue
caryn werman
November 28, 2010 at 10:29 am
Please let me know how to find events near cleveland ohio
bradl
November 28, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Caryn, I’d use the Event Search as described under “How can I find out when and where the next test is?”
Aleah Laster
February 2, 2011 at 9:25 am
Hello–
I have a terrier mix that I would love to do earthdog with. I understand that they can not title in this because they are not AKC registered, however, I would love to meet new people and get involoved with the sport. Are there clubs in the area that allow mixed breeds just for fun? I am having a hard time finding this info. Thank you!!!
Aleah
Dale
February 23, 2011 at 12:14 am
Like Aleah, I have a mixed breed dog that will never qualify for a title but, she seems like she would love and be good at earthdog related activities. Should I, or can I, bring her to one of the events planed in my area just to check things out? All I have been able to find so far are breed specific trials. Maybe I should email a couple of the clubs and ask them.
Regards,
Dale
bradl
February 23, 2011 at 9:22 am
Unfortunately, as I understand it, no – AKC earthdog tests are limited specifically to the eligible breeds listed in any given premium list. (That will be either all the eligible breeds, or one specific breed – so far as I know clubs are not allowed to “mix and match” eligible breeds.) In the old days, once a regular class was done, otherwise ineligible breeds could run “for exhibition only” but I think even that is no longer allowed. (I could be wrong – ask the AKC directly for a ruling.)
Clubs putting on AKC earthdog events are bound by AKC rules and can be fined or have their license to offer tests revoked for failing to apply the rules. So it’s a bad idea to ask an event-giving club to bend the rules at an event.
Some clubs offer training or practice days that are not AKC events. It’s possible that some of those events might be more open to just trying it out. There is a lot of work involved in putting tests together so some clubs limit practice to those who do the actual digging and so forth, while others might use a practice day as a fundraiser and welcome anyone with the small fee. The suggestion to simply contact a few clubs and ask them how they roll is a good one.
Karla
September 28, 2011 at 6:02 am
Mixed breed dogs can contact the American Working Terrier Association if they wish to compete in den trials held by that organization. They do accept mixed breeds but it is best to check with them on any requirements. It goes without saying that the dog must be able to fit in a 9″ wooden liner in order to compete.
Jo Ann Frier-Murza
January 30, 2012 at 10:25 am
Hi! I appreciate your reference to Earthdog Ins & Outs. Unfortunately, there has been a change of server for my web site and your link doesn’t work any more. Please fix the link to go to http://www.earthdog.info Thanks!!!!
Keep up the good work!
Jo Ann
bradl
January 30, 2012 at 10:36 am
Thanks for the updated URL – great to see a second edition and increased availability.
Stannette Weaver
March 4, 2012 at 9:54 am
Please notify me of any earthdog events that are coming up in NC
bradl
March 4, 2012 at 9:58 am
Stannette I’d use the Event Search as described under “How can I find out when and where the next test is?”
mark
March 13, 2012 at 1:51 pm
I was wondering if there were any events some what close to the Portland oregon area And what does it take to host such an event ?
bradl
March 13, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Sure, Oregon Trails End Earthdog Club (http://www.oteec.org) is one of several local clubs licensed by the AKC to offer tests. OTEEC is having a series of tests on May 12-13 in Turner (near Salem). The event is not yet posted on the website, unfortunately – but it will be in plenty of time for the test. If you use the AKC Events Search, you will find many other tests in the Northwest this coming year. The OTEEC site also lists web sites for several of the NW clubs.
mark
March 13, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Thank you for the info
Mark